PAAE Teacher Turn the Key Award Recipient Ms. Allyson Balmer

As the national shortage for Agricultural Educators continues to grow, now more than ever it is important to encourage those young educators who are working hard to support growing programs. In order to do so, each year the Pennsylvania Association for Agricultural Educators (PAAE) names one individual to be recognized with the Teacher Turn the Key Award for their dedication to their programs and professional development. The 2020 PAAE Teacher Turn the Key Award recipient is Ms. Allyson Balmer.

Ms. Balmer's decision to become an Agricultural Educator was threefold, "First, my love and learning of education. Second, my fierce passion for the agricultural industry. Third, my gratitude to the National FFA Organization". Throughout her academic career, Ms. Balmer had countless educators that inspired her daily, leading to her wanting to become an educator herself. She also has a love of learning as it opens endless opportunities for curiosity, self discovery, and career exploration. Ms. Balmer believes in the value of the agricultural industry, recognizing that society relies on it everyday, at least three times a day, and because of their dependency on the industry, it is imperative that students understand it to become informed consumers and advocates for agriculture. Finally, Ms. Balmer would not be who she is today without her high school agriculture program and FFA chapter. While these opportunities allowed her to travel, experience new cultures, and be a part of something bigger than herself, belonging to her own FFA Family was the most rewarding part of her high school experience.

"It is my goal, as FFA Advisor, to make the Tulpehocken FFA an inclusive organization where students can feel purpose and belonging". Tulpehocken's agricultural program strives to use inquiry-based, experiential learning opportunities to help students become familiar with the agricultural industry. By working to incorporate more Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education (CASE) into her classroom, Ms. Balmer's students are encouraged to use curiosity, discovery, and higher-order thinking skills to learn. Students that are a part of the Tulpehocken agriculture program are also able to engage in internships, career exploration, and skill attainment through their own Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's). The program also utilizes greenhouses, metal and wood shops, and the laboratory for research, projects, and hands-on learning to enhance the student's real world skills and material retention.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Balmer's program is, "Blessed to have incredible community support from businesses, parents, school board, and administration". In order to give back to their community, the Tulpehocken Agricultural Education Program supervises a variety of events. During National FFA Week, they host a community appreciation breakfast for business representatives, parents, administration, and faculty of the community. They also hold a food drive to benefit the Bethel-Tulpehocken Food Pantry around the same time. Another event the program hosts is the Elementary Agriculture Adventure Day where they take all of the third graders in the district to a local robotic dairy farm to learn about how the business cares for the animals, environment, and land in addition to hearing from some guest speakers from NRCS, Master Gardeners, Berks County Extension Office, Center for Dairy Excellence, and Agricultural Veterinary Associates.

Ms. Balmer's advice to other new Agricultural Educators would be, "As a new agricultural teacher, you have so many different responsibilities and wear so many 'hats' each day. Never forget that it is okay to ask for help! There are dozens of Agricultural Educators across the state who are ready to help you, but you have to ask. Also, always know that if you are doing your best, that is enough. You do not have to be perfect or have a flawless teaching practice. If you are passionate and care about your profession and kiddos, you are already a rockstar!"

Congratulations again to Ms. Balmer on being awarded the 2020 PAAE Teacher Turn the Key Award. Thank you for serving as an inspiration to your students and other budding Agricultural Educators.

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

PAAE Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient Ms. Holly Oberholtzer

"Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education" which is why, each year, the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators chooses an individual who embodies these qualities to receive an award for their contributions to Agricultural Education in Pennsylvania. This year, the 2020 Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient is Ms. Holly Oberholtzer. 

Ms. Oberholtzer began at Penn State Berks as a History Education major, but her strong roots in the agriculture industry led to switch her major to Agricultural and Extension Education, though she still incorporates her interests in history and political science in her classroom today by entwining current issues and trends in the news into different agricultural topics. Ms. Oberholtzer decided to become an Agricultural Educator because she has wanted to be a teacher since elementary school. "Having a parent and older siblings participate in the FFA and Agricultural Education at Ephrata High School, it seemed only natural that I follow the same road", says Ms. Oberholtzer. While in high school, she thoroughly enjoyed her classes and experiences in FFA. These fond memories even serve as examples for her as to how she can guide and improve her own program, today. In 2007, Ms. Oberholtzer began teaching at Lampeter-Strasburg High School as a student teacher and was hired soon after she graduated college as a full-time Agricultural Educator. Lampeter-Strasburg is a two-teacher program which teaches Agricultural Education courses as electives under the school's Practical Arts Department and serves approximately 150 students. Additionally, this program teaches ten different courses and is home to the Gardenspot FFA chapter along with a junior FFA program. In this program, the high school FFA members are responsible for conducting lessons for the middle school students.

Lampeter-Strasburg is home to Gardenspot FFA where each of Ms. Oberholtzer's students have the opportunity to engage in Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's). Many of her students have unique interests with working with youth, so Ms. Oberholtzer helped them connect with different elementary teachers from across the school district. In their placements, these students work to plan mini-lessons based in agriculture and teach them to the elementary school students they work with. In addition to these unique SAE's, Ms. Oberholtzer takes the time to attend Inquiry-Based Learning Conferences and Lancaster's STEM Alliance's Externship at Eurofins Lancaster Labs where she has learned valuable skills that she is able to apply in the classroom.

To remain involved in the community, the Gardenspot FFA chapter helps to set up and clean up the local fair each year. They also are involved in the Strasburg Shade Tree Program. Here the students help community members plant container and balled-burlapped trees along the streets of the community. Additionally, the members organized a Local Farmer and Supporter Breakfast for those who work each day to support Ms. Oberholtzer's program. Gardenspot FFA has also helped to organize a Community Blood Drive and Pot Pie Meal MiniThon Fundraiser this past February in honor of a member who has bone cancer.

One of the biggest challenges Ms. Oberholtzer has faced in her career has been miscommunication with the parents of her students. On the other hand, one of the biggest triumphs in her career has been hearing about the success and careers of former students."I love fair week when I see so many of them blooming with families and success, employment and careers". A few words of wisdom that Ms. Oberholtzer has to share with new Agricultural Educators is, "Allow yourself to fail, adjust, achieve, fail, adjust... it is important to be flexible and to continue to grow as an educator. Use information from other teachers, but don't compare results. Each program, teacher, students, community, etc. is different". 

Congratulations again to Ms. Holly Oberholtzer for being awarded the 2020 PAAE Outstanding Teacher Award and wish her luck as she applies for a regional award with the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

PAAE Outstanding Program Award Recipient Elizabethtown Area High School

Agriculture is a rich part of American culture, carrying great importance in our country's history and future. By continuing to establish outstanding agriculture programs in our communities, we are not only allowing our students to engage in agriculture on a local level, but also helping them to make connections with this American tradition while creating solutions for future challenges in the agriculture industry. In recognition of unique programs that facilitate the growth of future agriculturists, the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) chooses one program each year who exemplifies the importance of this industry to future generations. The 2020 PAAE Outstanding Program Award recipient is Elizabethtown Area High School.

Elizabethtown's Agricultural Education program was founded in 1958 and is currently run by Mr. Mark Anderson and Mr. Stephen Geib. This pair of educators maintains a diverse program that offers an array of agriculture courses including Introduction to Agriculture, Animal Science, Agriculture Mechanics, Veterinary Science, Greenhouse Management, Equine Science, Aquatic Resources, and Wildlife. Students at Elizabethtown Area High School also have the opportunity to engage in hands on learning in two classrooms, a greenhouse, an aquatics laboratory, an agriculture mechanics shop, and an animal science laboratory. Additionally, Elizabethtown is home to an active FFA chapter who has produced, since the start of Mr. Anderson's career at Elizabethtown in 2005, five State FFA Officers multiple state winning teams in the areas of Horse Evaluation, Agriculture Sales, Milk Products Evaluation, and Market Plan, two state proficiency winners, many Keystone State Degree winners, and quite a few American Degree winners. The Elizabethtown FFA has also recently created a Greenhand Bootcamp where new members can learn about the opportunities that the organization has to offer on a local, state, and national level.

The agriculture program at Elizabethtown Area High School remains a vital part of the local community. In 1985, the program was named the Eastern Region BOAC Award Winner for their community service with the Elizabethtown Fair. Today, the program continues to engage with the community through a variety of events. Each year, Elizabethtown agriculture students and FFA members plan a day of workshops for local fourth graders so that they may learn more about agriculture and their environment at an event appropriately named Ag and Environmental Day. The program also hosts a Pig Roast during National FFA Week where they serve Elizabethtown Area High School faculty and staff, recognizing the community of support that helps the program remain successful in educating it's students. Elizabethtown FFA members can also be found at the annual Elizabethtown Fair offering a Farmer for a Day experience to children in the community interested in learning about the vast nature of the agriculture industry.

While Elizabethtown strives to provide each student with the opportunity to learn, lead, and grow, the program does face a few challenges with fluctuations in enrollment and seniors being unable to participate in the program when they engage in the local Career and Technical Center.  Despite these challenges however, this program continues to work towards providing more opportunities for their students and adapting to a student body increasingly dependent on technology. 

The Elizabethtown Agricultural Education program welcomes all students interested in learning about agriculture, the environment, science, and mechanics. Strong student leaders and passionate Agricultural Educators continue to drive this program towards success by offering students opportunities to take part in experiential learning, personal growth, community service, and leadership. "Being a graduate of the agriculture program at Elizabethtown, I have seen first hand the hard work that both the educators and the students put into it. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Geib teach their students to embrace challenges, and it truly shows in the difference this program makes in the community and the growth of the students it serves". The 2020 PAAE Outstanding Program Award is a testament to the fantastic opportunities being offered to the students of Elizabethtown Area High School and the positive difference it is making in preparing future agriculturists for professional careers in the industry. Be sure to congratulate Mr. Anderson and Mr. Geib on the success of their program and the contributions it continues to make to the agriculture industry.

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

PAAE Outstanding Service Award Recipient Ms. SaraBeth Fulton

Service is a topic that all of us in the Agricultural Education realm are quite familiar with as it is an opportunity for all of us to help our students build character, learn to give back, and engage with the community. This year, the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) has recognized one individual in particular that exemplifies what it means to serve. The 2020 PAAE Outstanding Service Award recipient is Ms. SaraBeth Fulton.

Ms. Fulton is one of two Agricultural Educators at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pennsylvania. Her Agricultural Education program offers sixteen different courses that include Leadership, Animal Science, Mechanics, Natural Resources, Agriculture Business, and Plant Science which approximately 240 students engage in each year. Alongside Big Spring's developed high school program is an active FFA chapter and new middle school program. Ms. Fulton says, "Our program is fortunate to be in a school district that has a very supportive school board and administration, and as a result, our students are allowed to participate in experiences outside of the classroom that helps to enhance their career skills". 

Ms. Fulton had a unique start to her career as an Agricultural Educator as she majored in Animal Science in college where she was encouraged by her academic advisor to obtain a Master's degree in Education as he believed she had a knack for teaching. While she considered Agricultural Education when she was younger, it was not until this point in her life that Ms. Fulton decided to pursue it as a career instead of working with animals. Her position as a student teacher at Big Spring was what helped her to realize that her heart belongs to Agricultural Education and she continues to serve as an Agricultural Educator with passion today. Throughout her career, Ms. Fulton has served Agricultural Education in many positions including School Union Treasurer, Big Spring High School Professional Development/Wellness Committee, and Fiscal Policy Chair - Union in her community. On a state level, she has served as PAAE President and Webpage Master and is currently a Committee Member for FFA CDE/LDE. Moving beyond Pennsylvania's borders, Ms. Fulton also serves as Marketing Committee Member for NAAE.

At Big Spring, the Agricultural Education students are given a chance to engage in service in multiple ways. The programs partners with the Chesapeake Bay multiple times a year so the students have an opportunity to work on local riparian buffers in their district. Ms. Fulton's program also partners with their county Farm Bureau to collect materials for Farmers' Care Day. Additionally, Big Spring's Agricultural Education program conducts an Agriculture Program for first grade elementary classes where they utilize books from the local library, runs a milkshake stand at their home football games and their community fair, and is planning to host an agriculture night during on of their football games this fall to promote agriculture in their community. Ms. Fulton is helping to ensure that her program exploring new avenues of service also. "For the first time, we scheduled a community night program in conjunction with the library to do an evening program about potatoes".

Having taken part in many service experiences, Ms. Fulton says to individuals hoping to strengthen service in their program, "Don't be afraid to ask for help; we wear many hats as Agricultural Educators, and it is okay to ask for help from others. Also, always remember to have an open line of communication with your administrators and school board members. Don't assume they know everything you are doing or accomplishing. Send them reports or have your FFA members/students conduct presentations to the board".

For her passion for service, congratulate Ms. Fulton on receiving this award. Additionally, wish her luck as she takes her accomplishments to a national level and applies for the NAAE Outstanding Service Award.

Taylor Halbleib

CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

PAAE Teacher Mentor Award Recipient Mr. Mark Anderson

Each year the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) recognizes an individual who has worked hard to oversee the growth of other Agricultural Educators in Pennsylvania. This individual values the different perspectives and skills that new Agricultural Educators bring to their classrooms and communities and offers to help prepare them for the challenges and triumphs that those new Agricultural Educators may face throughout their careers. The 2020 recipient of the Teacher Mentor Award has be given to Mr. Mark Anderson (@deucehorse).

Mr. Anderson was motivated to begin a career as an Agricultural Educator when he served as the 1987-1988 Pennsylvania FFA (@FFAPENN) State Vice President where his experience with his fellow students made him want to become an Agricultural Educator and FFA Advisor. Mr. Anderson began his career as an Agricultural Educator by acquiring a degree in Agricultural Education from The Pennsylvania State University (@TeachAgPSU). After graduating, he served as a long term substitute for Blue Mountain High School's agriculture program. Currently, Mr. Anderson teaches at Elizabethtown Area High School where he manages the agriculture program and FFA chapter with Mr. Stephen Geib (@EtownFFA).

Being an experienced Agricultural Educator, Mr. Anderson has lived through many challenges and triumphs throughout his career. Every day he is challenged to work with students who are not motivated to learn so that he can prepare them for life after high school by helping them discover their own passions. Those challenges are all worth it though as he describes one of his proudest moments as, "Watching a former student become a State FFA Officer, then become an Agricultural Educator, and have her first State FFA Officer". In addition to watching his own students succeed, he also enjoys helping other Agricultural Educators to learn about Inquiry Based Instruction as an NAAE Agriscience Ambassador and Facilitator (@NAAE). 

Mr. Anderson has mentored seven student teachers and five of his own students who graduated from his program and earned a degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, two of them (Ms. Sarah Thoman and Ms. Sarabeth Alderfer) who are currently Agricultural Educators in Pennsylvania. Being chosen as the recipient of the PAAE Teacher Mentor Award means a great deal to Mr. Anderson as he thoroughly enjoys helping other Agricultural Educators realize their potential as teachers and advisors. Seeing his mentees succeed is rewarding to him because it is rewarding to them to be able to discover new ways to better help their own students. Mr. Anderson's advice to new Agricultural Educators would be, "Be yourself and do not try to fit into someone else's mold. Get as many hands on and practical experiences in agriculture as you can; they will help you to guide your students to a better understanding of the opportunities in the agriculture industry". 

Be sure to congratulate Mr. Mark Anderson on being recognized as the 2020 PAAE Teacher Mentor Award recipient and wish him luck as he applies to be the NAAE Region VI Teacher Mentor Award recipient.

Taylor Halbleib

Penn State CPPD Student Worker

Agricultural and Extension Education

Class of 2022

Congratulations Luke Kerstetter #psuaged20 member hired!

Luke Kerstetter hired at Solanco High School

The Center for Professional Personal Development would like to congratulate Luke Kerstetter for formally being hired at Solanco High School. We asked Luke a few questions about his new job and what Solanco FFA is all about!

Luke is originally from Mount Pleasant Mills, PA, and will now be teaching down in southern Lancaster county, where he will be the third agricultural educator for the high school. Luke was involved with LEAD Society during his time at University Park, and was a member of the Altoona Ag Club and Collegiate FFA during his time at his branch campus.

Luke has spent the past few months student teaching at Solanco, where he taught Power and Machinery Technology, Hand & Power Tools, Animal Science, Welding, and Ag Business Operations. Mr. Carey Kalupson will be retiring from his position, and although Luke says he is replacing him in the position, he will no doubt have difficulty replacing the years of knowledge of one of the best ag mechanics teachers in the state.

During his time student teaching, Luke shared that one of the most memorable things he was able to do was allowing students to essentially blow up engines to see how they break (as long as the engines were not going back into service).

In his new position, Luke will mostly be teaching the ag mechanics courses, specifically Hand & Power Tools, Power and Machinery Technology, Building Construction, and Welding.

On the FFA side, Solanco has 186 FFA members on roster, and Luke shared that one of the most interesting things the chapter does is hold a community breakfast to end National FFA week, which can attract more than 150 people.

With Luke joining, we only see the program continuing to grow and evolve thanks to the leadership of himself and his fellow teachers. When asked to give some perspective on what the future holds, and this new chapter of life he is about to embark on, Luke shared “Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2, a very fitting piece from someone more then ready to lead the next generation of agriculturalists.

Although we will miss seeing Luke around Penn State, his advice can be applied to all of our lives;

"Some days will be rough to get through on this journey, but always see it through. Never give up on your journey to your dream career. There is a student out there that needs your guidance."

Congratulations again Luke, we look forward to seeing where your future takes you!

March 2020 Agricultural & Extension Education Student of the Month: Nathan Moyer

Every month a student is recognized within the Agricultural and Extension Education program. A student is chosen who has demonstrated hard work and dedication to their education, major, and passions. The Penn State Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month for March is Nathan Moyer of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

Nathan is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural & Extension Education here at Penn State. Nathan is currently enrolled in Student Engagement & Experiential Discovery (SEED) semester to gain experiences in his area of passion, the outdoors. Nathan spent four years as a member of the Selinsgrove FFA chapter, serving in multiple roles and offices. After graduation, he was elected as a Pennsylvania FFA State Officer where he served from 2017-2018 as State President. He has gained experiences through FFA and at Penn State that have helped him to excel as a student and we are proud to recognize his achievements.

Nathan’s favorite place to hang out on campus is the Arboretum, and although he does not have a favorite sports team, he enjoys a heated chess match now and again. His overall favorite Penn State course is RPTM 326, Natural History Interpretation, and he can be found occasionally at his favorite restaurant Irving’s.

Nathan’s favorite quote is “Life is a great adventure… accept it in such a spirit.”- Theodore Roosevelt. You can reach out to Nathan on Instagram or on Twitter @nathanmoyer_22.

Nathan continues to impress us as he works hard towards becoming an agriculture educator. We are so excited for what the future holds for Nathan! Congratulations again, on being Penn State’s Agricultural and Extension Education student of March!

Morgan Bear

Agricultural & Extension Education

Class of 2023